We rode into Arches National park about 7:00 AM. The sun was already beginning to warm us and as we traveled higher and higher the height and mass of the cliffs was apparent. Cars ahead looked like ants climbing up their mounds. We reached the top and saw a valley similar to other we had seen in Canyon De Chelly. But as we rode and turned another corner there were the Three Gossips, Courthouse Rock...the same formations you see in "City Slickers" the movie.....look Arches up on the net....its turning into another incredible day for us...we left the Arches 4 hours after we rode in, 50 + more miles on the bikes.
We headed North on 191 towards I-70 and rode east on 70 towards Highway 128.
This was a 43-mile run thru barren desert country. Quinn and I had discussed what a desert was…there was no doubt we were riding thru some all day. There were times there was nothing but sand and rock hills to our sides. We stopped to take some pictures of the area and gnats decided we must be a meal, so off we rode again in hopes of even more changes in scenery.
All of a sudden it was getting greener to our left, and finally I realized why. We had reached the Colorado River and it was only 25 feet to our left. We saw Anasazi Petroglyphs. Then we were in canyons that were a half-mile deep. At times we were almost claustrophobic the walls were closing in so close to us. (Of course the canyon was probably a 1/4-mile at the narrowest, but it was higher than it was narrow.)
The only way I can really describe it is…Picture driving thru the Grand Canyon, walls and river next to you... That’s what we were doing, and loving it.
Then, an oasis in the arid landscape. The Sorrel Ranch and Spa. If you could have seen what it looked like as we rounded the turn. Everything is red rocks, cliffs etc, and then all of a sudden there was bright green grass and trees. We both knew when we saw the sign saying restaurant we were going in for at least a few beers to wet our dry throats. Walking to the main building after we parked it was eerie how quite and peaceful it was. We had been riding the bikes with the engines roaring, but this was just quiet, peaceful quiet..(I hope we didn’t ruin it for everyone…lol) We rode in and had a few Moab Brewery Beers and lunch.... Quinn decided he wanted to bring his family here someday. Me.. I think I would go crazy. Its too peaceful, but...it is beautiful. If John Wayne suddenly rode up on his mount it would have seemed appropriate. He filmed movies all around this area.
We left and continued along the Colorado, past Dude Ranches and finally back into Moab. One thing for sure… beer sure tastes great after 160 miles and 8 hours riding in this heat.
Tomorrow we start heading home...its been a great journey so far. Now we hope for decent weather on the way home...the weather has been perfect so far and we keep hearing about that weather in Texas (Rain and more rain)
We trust the "Great Tatanka" will be there with us.